Mechanism for handling and sorting bobbins



June 11, 1968 J. T. FOSTER MECHANISM FOR HANDLING AND SORTING BOBBINS June 11, 1968 J. T. FOSTER 3,387,703

MECHANISM FOR HANDLING AND SORTING BOBBINS Filed Sept. 8, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet M) W M 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ANMN 3 l ll 1T ,flrfiqfwl June 11, 1968 J. T. FOSTER MECHANISM FOR HANDLING AND SORTING BOBBINS Filed Sept. 8, 1965 r Q n \N\ a FI I I i l l lill l MN N June 11, 1968 J. T. FOSTER MECHANISM FOR HANDLING AND SORTING BOBBINS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 8, 1965 June 11, 1968 J. T. FOSTER MECHANISM FOR HANDLING AND SORTING BOBBINS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 8, 1965 United States Patent 3,387,703 MECHANISM FUR HANDLING AND SORTING BGBBHNS Jackie Travis Foster, Greenville, SAL, assignor to Maremont Corporation, Chicago, lit, a corporation of Illinois Filed Sept. 8, 1965, Ser. No. 485,752 Claims. (Cl. 209-73) ABSTRACT OF THE DESCLOSURE A cop feed mechanism for a multiple unit travelling winder of the type having a bobbin supply station and a piece bobbin discharge station. The cop feed mechanism comprises a bobbin magazine having a plurality of bobbin magazine holders arranged for movement to a piece bobbin and a full bobbin loading station and thereafter to the bobbin supply station, a full bobbin supply conveyer including means for discharging full bobbins into successive bobbin magazine holders presented at the bobbin loading station and a piece bobbin supply system including means for discharging piece bobbins into successive bobbin magazine holders presented at the bobbin loading station. A conveyor is provided for conveying piece bobbins discharged from the Winder at its piece bobbin discharge station and piece bobbin sorting means are provided for sensing a below minimum mass of thread wound on a piece bobbin and ejecting such a below minimum mass bobbin from the conveyor. Sensing means responsive to the presence of a piece bobbin adjacent the bobbin loading station are provided to arrest the discharge of a full bobbin at the bobbin loading station for discharge of the piece bobbin to the loading station so that piece bobbins discharged from the travelling winder are automatically sorted and the usable ones fed back to it.

operating relation to the Winding mechanisms at its bobbin supply station, and a mechanism for discharging discarded bobbins from the winder at its discharge station. The discarded bobbins are customarily sorted manually, those having little or no yarn being collected for rewinding while those having reusable amounts of yarn thereon may be mingled with the stack of full bobbins to be conveyed as needed to the magazine.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide means for automatically sorting and for returning to active use those discarded bobbins hereinafter referred to as piece bobbins having thereon usable amounts of yarn.

More specifically it is an object of the invention to proved a novel and improved sorting mechanism which is suitable for sensing the amount of yarn remaining on the discarded bobbin, for selecting for reuse such bobbins having thereon enough yarn to qualify as piece bobbins, and for ejecting the remaining bobbins from the system for rewinding.

It is a further object of the invention to provide mechanism including a conveyor system for transferring the selected piece bobbins to the magazine of the cop feeder and for locating said piece bobbins within the magazine in alternation with full bobbins transferred to said magazine in a normal manner.

With the above and other objects in view, the several features of the invention will be readily appreciated by one skilled in the art from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation illustrating particularly an automatic cop feeder for use with an automatic cone winder or similar machine;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the automatic cop feeder shown in FIG, 1 looking from the left;

FIG. 3 is a view of the automatic cop feeder shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicating also the position of the winder with relation thereto;

FIG. 4 is a detail plan view on an enlarged scale of the mechanism shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 for identifying and separating out piece bobbins and for ejecting the more fully used up bobbins;-

FIG. 5 is a view in side elevation of the sorting mechanism shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a somewhat fragmentary view of the sensing mechanism shown in FIG. 5 illustrating the manner in which said mechanism operates to select or to reject the discarded bobbin, the full line position being that taken for ejecting the empty bobbin, the dotted line position being that taken when a piece bobbin is encountered and the ejecting mechanism is rendered inoperative;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on a line 77 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on a line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a portion of the guide ring assembly including the stations at which the piece bobbins and fully wound bobbins respectively are delivered to the magazine;

FIG. 10 is a detail view in left side elevation of the fully wound bobbin delivery receiving station shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the electrical connections outlined in FIG. 1 including an air operating solenoid, and the entry and exit switches controlled by the sensing plate of the sorting mechanism;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view of the electrical connections for controlling the operation of the full bobbin and piece bob-bin elevating conveyors, the position shown being that taken when the full bobbin control switch has been opened by a piece bobbin thereby rendering the full bobbin elevating conveyor inoperative;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to 'FIG. 12, but with both elevating conveyors active, and

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view of the electrical connections controlled by a bobbin peg actuated switch and including a solenoid for imparting a step advanced movement to the bobbin magazine.

Referring to the drawings, a mechanism for handling and sorting bobbins is shown which comprises a cylindrical bobbin supply magazine 26 mounted adjacent to a multiple unit thread package travelling winder generally indicated at 22 in FIG. 3 having a track 24 along which winding units, not specifically shown, are conveyed and from which exhausted supply bobbins and those having broken ends are discharged at a piece bobbin discharge station. Since the winder and magazine feed are well known, see specifically the patent to Abbott et al. No. 2,177,763 and the patents to Abbott Nos. 1,609,639 and 2,675,971, these mechanisms will be described only so far as necessary to illustrate the connection of the invention therewith. The magazine 20 is formed with a circular series of vertical containers or cans 26, each adapted to hold a replenishment bobbin or cop 28 and to be brought into operating relation to the supply holder of a succeeding winding unit in succession by the relative movement between the magazine and the several units. A bottom plate 30 of the magazine 20 rests upon a continuously driven rotating friction collar 32. Movement of the magazine is controlled by stop devices which when disengaged permit movement of the magazine in a counter-clockwise direction with the friction collar 32. As more fully shown in Patent 2,177,763 above referred to, a series of stop pegs 33 on a horizontally disposed structural disc 34 of the magazine are adapted to be successively intercepted by the lowered armature 35 of a solenoid 36. A momentary energizing of the solenoid raises the armature 35, releases the magazine, and allows it to turn through the angle represented by one can 25, whereupon the next stop peg 33 is caught by the lowered armature 35.

Full bobbins or cops 28 are supplied automatically to the supply magazine 20 from a loading horizontal conveyor 38 by means of a downwardly sloping chute plate 40 and an elevating conveyor 42 comprising a pair of endless sprocket chains 44 and a plurality of cross slats 46. The lattice thus formed is trained around bottom sprockets 48, and around sprockets d and 52 carrying the conveyor above and across the supply magazine 20.

The elevating conveyor 42 is driven by means of an electric motor 54 which is installed below the horizontal conveyor and drives a speed reduction mechanism 56 by means of a V-belt. A clutch driving element, not shown, loosely mounted on a clutch shaft 66 is continuously driven from the speed reduction mechanism 56. The shaft 66 is arranged to be driven through one revolution by means of clutch connection which include a solenoid Sol, 3. This mechanism is identical with that hereinafter more fully described for driving the piece bobbin elevating conveyor, and is, therefore, not further described. The sprockets 48 are fixed to a sprocket shaft 70 and rotate together with a ratchet wheel 72 which is also fixed to the same shaft 70, and which is driven by a pawl 74. The pawl '74 is driven by the clutch shaft 66 through a known type of linkage.

The bobbins 2S supplied along the chute plate 40 are picked up one by one and conveyed by the slats 46. As the clutch shaft 66 rotates through one revolution, its motion is transmitted through the above said linkage, the pawl 74, the ratchet wheel '72, the sprockets 48, and chain 44 to advance the slats 46 by one pitch, that is, the spacing of the slats, whereby one bobbin only at a time is caused to drop from the upper part of the conveyor, under the guidance of a guide plate 76, into an elevating conveyor chute 78. One of the side members of the chute 78 is defined by an inclined and curved surface as shown in FIG. 2 by means of which the bobbin 28 in the chute is displaced from a horizontal to a vertical position thus guiding the bobbin into the aligned magazine can 26.

The mechanism herein provided for handling, sorting, and returning to active use those bobbins discarded from the travelling winder at its piece bobbin discharge station, but having thereon usable amounts of yarn comprises generally a chute 81 see FIGS. 1 and 2 into which the bobbins 82 are ejected from the winder as by a dofling cam not shown, an inclined conveyor 84 onto which the dotted bobbins are deposited small end first, a second conveyor 86 on which the dotted bobbins are passed through a sorting unit 88, a downwardly inclined chute 90 on which selected piece bobbins are carried to a piece bobbin elevating conveyor 92 which carries said piece bobbins to a delivery position above the cop supply magazine 20, and delivery chute 94 through which the piece bobbin is delivered. Mechanism is provided also as hereinafter more fully set forth for controlling the operation of the full bobbin elevating conveyor and the piece bobbin conveyor so that the operation of the one is temporarily suspended when a piece bobbin is delivered to the magazine to insure a smooth and uninterrupted operation of the magazine feed.

The used bobbins 82 are detected by means of a dofiing apparatus and are ejected from the discharge station of the travelling winder which is Well known, and is set forth for example in the Abbott et al. Patent 2,177,763. The chute 81 associated with the dofiing apparatus is shaped to cause the discarded bobbins 82 to be deposited onto the inclined conveyor 84, small end first. The conveyor 84- consists of an endless belt supported to turn on suitable rolls 9t: and 98 and at its upper end abuts the second transversely disposed conveyor 86. The inclined conveyor 84 is continuously driven by a motor 169 and reduction gear unit 31b2, which is connected to drive the roll 96. The transverse conveyor 86 similarly comprises an endless belt supported to turn on the spaced apart rolls 184, 196, and is continuously driven by a motor 108 and reduction gear unit 116 connected with the roll 104. The conveyors 84 and 86 are fenced in along both sides by side walls 112 shaped to guide the used bobbins along the conveyor 84 and around onto the conveyor 86.

The used bobbins are now passed through the sorting unit 83 shown in detail in FIGS. 4 to 8 inclusive. This unit comprises a housing, within which are provided a sensing device to distinguish those bobbins having usable amounts of yarn left thereon from others having little or no yarn thereon to be classed as rejects, and a pair of compressed air nozzles which are employed to blow reect bobbins from the conveyor into a suitable receptacle 114 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

The sensing device comprises a fiat sensing plate 116 which overlies the used bobbin 82 as shown in FIG. 6 passed into the sorting unit, small end first, being supported at the entry end of the unit on a swinging arm 118 hinged to the sensing plate and to a pivot pin 12% carried by the housing; and supported at the exit end of the sorting unit on a similar swinging arm 122 hinged to the exit end of said sensing plate 116. Micro-switches 124 and 126 are connected to be actuated respectively by arms 118 and 122. A tab 127 extending from one side of the arm 118 and bent at right angles thereto provides a cam actuating surface for engagement with the actuating arm of microswitch 124. Similarly, a tab 128 extending at right angles from one side of the arm 122 provides a cam actuating surface for the switch arm of micro-switch 126. For the low inactive position of the sensing plate 116 the entering micro-switch is normally open, Whereas the exit microswitch is normally closed.

The ejecting mechanism referred to comprises two air jets 13d and 132. connected with a compressed air line 134 having therein an open and shut valve 136 controlled by a solenoid 138. The arrangement is such that when both the entry and exit micro-switches are closed the solenoid 138 is energized opening valve 136 so that a blast of air is directed against the discarded bobbin in the sorting area to eject said bobbin. Movement of a discarded bobbin into the sorting area causes the sensing plate to be raised closing the entry micro-switch. While the exit end of the sensing plate is also raised the exit micro-switch remains closed unless the thread mass on the bobbin is sutficient to open the switch. The selection of bobbins to be returned to active use as piece bobbins is thus determined *by the thickness of the thread mass on the bobbin which is in turn controlled by the adjustment of the switch 126. Such adjustment is readily effected by loosening fastening nuts 129 and moving the switch bodily forward or back.

Assuming that a used bobbin having little or no thread winding thereon enters the sorting area the entry end of the sensing plate 116 is raised closing the entry microswitch 124. This is the full line position of FIG. 6. See also FIG. 11. Under these conditions the exit micro-switch 126 remains closed so that the solenoid 138 is energized allowing compressed air to escape through the air jets 13%, 132, to eject the used bobbin.

When a bobbin having more than the predetermined r number of thread wraps enters the ejector the sensing plate 116 will be lifted to the high position shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 6 and 8 causing the exit micro-switch 12.6 to open, thus de-energizing the solenoid 138 which has become momentarily energized as the sensing plate 116 rises through the empty bobbin position. Under these conditions the air jets are ineffective to eject the piece bobbin which continues on its way through the ejector mechanism. It will be understood that the momentary energization of the solenoid 138 is insufiicient to affect the direction of travel of the piece bobbin in its passage through the ejector.

Bobbins ejected from the sorting zone are discharged into a suitable container over a discharge plate 142 which slopes downwardly from one side of the conveyor 86. During the discharge operation there is a tendency for the bottom end of the empty bobbin of larger diameter to become stuck between the sensing plate and the conveyor causing the bobbin to be swung 180 degrees by the air jets without actually leaving the conveyor. To avoid this contingency a bobbin guide post 144 is mounted on the discharge plate 142 to obstruct the swinging movement of the small end of the bobbin while the butt end of the bobbin is freed by the action of the air jets as indicated by the dot and dash line positions of FIG. 4.

Piece bobbins such as that described at 145 are jogged around the curve provided by a corner housing 146 and will slide down the closed chute 90 which at its lower end is formed with a laterally inclined plate 148 adapted to roll the piece bobbin 145 onto a shelf on the elevating conveyor 92.

The piece bobbin elevating convey-or 92 is similar to the elevating conveyor 42 previously described, comprising a pair of sprocket chains 152 riding on pairs of sprocket Wheels 154, 156, and 158, whereby the piece bobbin 145 is moved by steps to an elevated position, and is dropped into the chute 94 formed to cause the piece bobbin to be deposited, large end down, in a magazine can 26.

The piece bobbin elevating conveyor 92 is driven in a manner similar to the main elevating conveyor 42 through connections which include an electric motor 160, a reduction gear unit 161, and a driving clutch disc 162 loose- 1y mounted to turn on a driven clutch shaft 163, and continuously driven from the reduction gear unit. The clutch shaft is driven through successive increments of one revolution by means of a one revolution clutch consisting of a driven key supporting disc 164 secured to the shaft 163, a spring pressed key 165 mounted thereon and biased into locking engagement with one of several peripheral sockets 166 in the rotating clutch disc 162, and a control finger 167 which normally engages and holds the key 165 in a retracted inoperative position. With each stepped advance of the winder and cop feeding magazine 26 the control finger 167 is momentarily withdrawn by the action of a solenoid Sol. 2 causing the key 165 to move into locking engagement with a socket 166. At the end of one revolution of the shaft 163 the control finger 167 acts to withdraw the key 165, and to arrest rotation of the clutch shaft 163. Each successive revolution of clutch shaft 163 produces a step movement of the piece bobbin elevating conveyor through connections which include a crank arm 168 attached to the clutch shaft 163, a link 169 connected between the crank arm and a pawl lever 171i pivoted on a supporting shaft 171 for sprockets 154, a pawl 172, and ratchet 173 on the shaft 171.

In the operation of the machine the supply magazine is caused to advance one bobbin position with each advance of the winder units of the machine by the operation of a limit switch 2L8 which is actuated to a closed position by conventional mechanical linkage which may include a trip lever 174 (see FIG. 3) operated by the passage of each successive bobbin peg 175, thereby momentarily energiz' ing an electrical circuit. The switch 2L5, when closed, energizes solenoid 36 causing the armature 35 (see FIG. 1) to be momentarily withdrawn permitting a stepped advance of the magazine 20. The solenoid 36 is energized as shown in the fragmentary electrical diagram of FIG. 14. The piece bobbin elevating conveyor 92 and the full bobbin elevating conveyor 42 are in turn given a stepped advance by the operation of a limit switch 4LS which is actuated to a closed position by conventional mechanical linkage which may include a trip lever 176 (see FIG. 3) operated by the passage of each successive bobbin peg 175, thereby momentarily energizing an electrical circuit. The solenoid Sol. 2 is energized as shown in the fragmentary electrical diagrams FIGS. 12 and 13 to step feed the piece bobbin conveyor 92.. Assuming that the switch 3LS is closed, the solenoid Sol. 3 is energized to step feed the main full bobbin elevating conveyor 42 (see FIG. 12). Operated in the manner described, the piece bobbin elevating conveyor has the capability of placing piece bobbins in each successive bobbin can 26 of th supply magazine. However, since most of the discarded bobbins will be classed as rejects only an occasional random piece bobbin will be supplied to the supply magazine on the piece bobbin elevating conveyor.

With the present construction the bobbin elevating conveyors are so arranged and controlled as to cause the full bobbin conveyor to supply full bobbins only to supply cans 26 of the feed magazine which have not already been filled by the piece bobibn elevating conveyor 92. As best shown in FIG. 9 the full bobbin feeding station is two steps removed from the piece bobbin station around the magazine in the direction of feed. With each step feed of the magazine a detector device determines whether the supply can brought to the full bobbin feed station has already been filled from the piece bobbin conveyor. If so, a normally closed switch 3LS is opened disconnecting solenoid Sol. 3 so that the full bobbin elevating conveyor remains stationary (see FIG. 13).

The detector device referred to, see FIGS. 9 and 10, comprises a switch arm 178 rotatably supported on a post mounted externally of the supply magazine on a bracket 1S2 fixed to the machine. The switch arm 178 is in the form of a flat plate secured to a vertically arranged stem 184 carried by'a rotatable hub 186 loose on the post 180, a rearward extension of the switch arm 178 extends normally across the path of movement of the loaded bobbins or cops about the magazine axis, this extension bein g located below the side wall elements of the supply cans 26. A spring 199 coiled about the post 181), being anchored at one end to the post and at the other end to the stem 184 acts to maintain the switch arm 178 normally closed and the extension 188 in position to be engaged by a cop in the magazine can 26 which is moved ot the full bobbin supply station of the magazine.

The operation of the mechanism above described for feeding cops to the magazines selectively from the piece bobbin and full bobbin conveyors will be described in connection with the fragmentary electrical diagrams FIGS. 12, 13, and 14. As set forth in the patents above noted, the advance of the multiple winding units of the travelling winder is accompanied by a corresponding stepped advance of the supply magazine 21 in order to drop a wound bobbin onto the next succeeding bobbin peg of the winder at its bobbin supply station. Referring to FIG. 3 the advance of the winding units of the winder causes a bobbin peg 175 to actuate lever arm 174 to close switch 2L8 and in a measured amount of time, switch 4L8. This measured amount of time between the activation of switch 2L8 and switch 4L3 allows the supply magazine 20 to index to the next empty bobbin can 26 and stop to receive a cop or cops from the elevating lattices. Solenoid Sol. 2 is energized producing a stepped movement of the piece bobbin elevating conveyor 92. Assuming that the stepped movement of the supply magazine 20 has not brought a piece bobbin to the full bobbin feeding station, the switch 3LS is closed as in FIG. 12 causing the solenoid Sol. 3 to be energized producing a stepped movement of the full bobbin elevating conveyor 42 and the discharge of a full bobbin into the can 26. if however, there is already a piece bobbin the can 26 moved to the full bobbin feed station, the rearward extension of the switch arm 178 will have been engaged thereby moving the switch arm to open switch 3LS as shown in FIG. 13. The solenoid Sol. 3 is not energized by the closing of switch 41.5, the full bobbin conveyor 42 is not advanced, and the feed of full bobbins to the magazine is thus suspended.

The invention having been described what is claimed is:

1. A cop feed mechanism for a multiple unit travelling winding machine, of the type having a piece bobbin discharge station, said mechanism having in combination, a cop feed magazine, a bobbin conveyor system for conveying piece bobbins discharged from the winder at said piece bobbin discharge station to said cop feed magazine, including a piece bobbin sorting mechanism in said conveyor system, which sorting mechanism comprises a sensing element providing alternative above-minimum and below-minimum indications of the mass of any thread windings on a said bobbin suitable for reuse as a piece bobbin, and means controlled by a below-minimum indication of said sensing element to eject the sensed bobbin from the conveyor system.

2. For use in a textile machine of the travelling winder type having a piece bobbin discharge station and having a cop feed mechanism associated therewith for supplying bobbins to said travelling winders, the combination of a bobbin conveyor system for feeding piece bobbins selected from a supply of piece bobbins discharged from said travelling winder at said discharge station along a path to said cop feed mechanism, which comprises a bobbin conveyor on which said discharged bobbins are advanced successively along said path, a device acting when rendered operative to eject a bobbin from said conveyor, a sensing element adjacent said conveyor to be acted upon by each passing bobbin providing an alternative indication of the mass of any thread windings on said bobbin above or below a piece bobbin minimum, and connections between said sensing element and bobbin ejecting device controlled by a below-minimum indication of said sensing element for operating said ejecting device to eject the sensed bobbin from the conveyor.

3. The combination of claim '2 comprising a bobbin conveyor system for feeding piece bobbins to a cop feed mechanism, in which there is provided a sensing plate overlying the conveyor to be engaged and displaced away from the conveyor by a bobbin passing under said plate, supporting means on which the bobbin entry and exist ends of said sensing plate are individually displaceable, and electrical operating connections including an ejector device actuating solenoid, a normally open entry switch serially connected to energize said solenoid and arranged to 'be actuated by the displacement of said entry end of said plate, a normally closed exit switch serially connected in said circuit with said solenoid and arranged to be opened only by a movement of predetermined extent of said exit end of said plate occasioned by an aboveminimum mass of thread winding on said bobbin.

4. The combination of claim 2 comprising a bobbin conveyor system for feeding piece bobbins to a cop feed mechanism, in which there is provided a sensing plate overlying the conveyor to be engaged and displaced away rom the conveyor by a bobbin passing under said plate by an amount determined by the mass of thread windings on said bobbin, thereby providing alternative below-minimum and above-minimum indications of the thread mass on said bobbin, a bobbin ejector device comprising air nozzle means for directing compressed air against a sensed bobbin to eject said bobbin, means for releasing compressed air, and control means responsive to a belowminimum indication of said plate to release said compressed air and responsive to an above-minimum indication of said plate to shut off said compressed air.

5. A bobbin QQnveyor system for feeding tapered bobbins having the combination of claim 4 in which a plurality of nozzles are located to direct a stream of compressed air across the conveyor and plate against both ends of said sensed bobbin, a discharge conduit is provided at one side of said conveyor and overlying plate, a plurality of nozzles are located to direct a stream of compressed air across the conveyor and plate against both ends of said bobbin for driving the sensed bobbin toward said discharge exit, and an obstruction is located in said conduit to engage the small end of a discharged bobbin thereby to ensure the discharge of the large end of said discharged bobbin from between the conveyor and plate.

ti. A cop feed mechanism for a textile machine having, in combination, a magazine having a plurality of bobbin holders arranged for stepped movements to a piece bobbin loading station and to a full bobbin loading station, means for discharging piece bobbins intermittently into holders presented at said piece bobbin loading station, means for discharging full bobbins into each successive holder presented at said full bobbin loading station, a device signalling the presence of a piece bobbin in the holder presented to said full bobbin loading station, and means responsive to said signal to arrest the discharge of a full bobbin at said full bobbin loading station.

7. A cop feed mechanism for a multiple unit winding machine having, in combination, a step feed cop magazine providing a plurality of bobbin holders movable to a piece bobbin loading station and to a full bobbin loading station, a full bobbin magazine loading conveyor system including a full bobbin delivery device having a stepped movement to deliver a full bobbin at said full bobbin loading station, a piece bobbin magazine loading conveyor system including a piece bobbin delivery device having a stepped movement to deliver a piece bobbin at said piece bobbin loading station, and a bobbin sorting device supplying piece bobbins intermittently to said piece bobbin delivery device, and control means for effecting a stepped advance of said magazine, and of each of said piece bobbin and full bobbin delivery devices, a device signalling the presence of a piece bobbin in the holder presented at said full bobbin loading station, and means responsive to said signal to render said means for effecting a stepped advance of said full bobbin delivery device inoperative.

8. A cop feed mechanism for a multiple unit winding machine according to claim 7 in which the cop feed magazine comprises a rotatably mounted circular series of bobbin holders, the full bobbin delivery device comprises a step driven piece bobbin elevating conveyor and delivery chute, and the piece bobbin delivery device similarly comprises a step driven piece bobbin elevating conveyor and delivery chute.

9. A cop feed mechanism for a multiple unit winding machine according to claim 8 having a control system which comprises a periodically operated actuating switch, a first solenoid energized by said switch and connections actuated thereby for step advancing said magazine, a second solenoid, energized by said switch, and connections actuated thereby for step advancing said piece bobbin elevating conveyor, a third solenoid having a normally closed cut-out switch in series therewith, and connections actuated thereby for step advancing said full bobbin elevating conveyor, and a signal device responsive to the presence of a piece bobbin in the holder at the full bobbin loading station to open said cut-out switch.

Iii. A cop feed mechanism for a multiple unit travelling winder of the type having a bobbin supply station and a piece bobbin discharge station,

said cop feed mechanism comprising a bobbin magazine having a plurality of bobbin magazine holders arranged for movement to a piece bobbin and a full bobbin loading station and thereafter to said bobbin supply station,

full bobbin supply means for said bobbin magazine including means for discharging full bobbins from said full bobbin supply means into successive bobbin magazine holders presented at said bobbin loading station,

piece bobbin supply means for said bobbin magazine including means for discharging piece bobbins from said piece bobbin supply means into successive bobbin magazine holders presented at said bobbin loading station, piece bobbin conveyor means for conveying piece Ibobbins discharged from said winder at said piece bobbin discharge station and piece bobbin sorting means having means for sensing a below minimum mass of thread wound on said piece bobbin and ejecting said below minimum mass bobbin from said conveyor means, and

means responsive to the presence of a piece bobbin adjacent said bobbin loading station eifective to arrest the discharge of a full bobbin at said bobbin loading station for discharge of a said piece bobbin to said loading station, whereby piece bobbins discharged from the travelling winder are automatically sorted and the usable ones fed back to it.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ALLEN N. KNOWLES, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,387,703 June 11, 1968 Jackie Travis Foster It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 63, "proved" should read provide Column 3, line 59, "2" should read 3 Column 4, line 19, after "around" insert the corner line 27 after "conveyor" insert 86 Column 6, line 26, "bobibn" should read b bbin line 50, "0t" should read to line 54, after "bobbin", second occurrence, insert elevating Column 7, line 49, "exist" should read exit Signed and sealed this 28th day of October 1969. (SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

